Ford GP (series 1) slow build

[Mike Cecil]

Thanks, Gents. Yes, Mike: I remember the stories about the 'odd' jeep - if only we could go back in time! The engine is a 9N tractor engine, a per-war tractor engine, but modified slightly for the GP, and the diffs and T/case are offset to the opposite side to a GPW and MB.

I have record of only one GP being imported to Australia, by direct purchase in late 1941. As you said, the ones there now are mostly recent imports.

It is quite a challenge, and I suppose that's what was part of the attraction when it was offered to me (I purchased it from Edmonton, Canada). I did a GPW many years ago, and now you can almost build one from repro parts there is so much on the market, so a GPW is mostly a matter of $$$ and time. The GP, however, is a whole new ball game: the standard Ford parts are reasonably easy to acquire - the dash assembly is standard commercial, for example, as are engine mounts. But the parts peculiar to GP are really difficult, and comparatively expensive when (if?) you do find them. The situation is improving, however, as a guy in the UK is producing some really nice quality stuff for GP, GPW/MB and GPA: I met up with him at the convention in Topeka a few weeks ago.

Paint: I've used Rustoleum red oxide enamel as the primer, and Rapco industrial enamel as the top-coat. I chose the Rapco early war Olive Drab 'semi-flat' because it is readily available and instantly 'repeatable' if in need of a touch-up or partial repaint. The colour is a shade lighter than the original GP's supposedly came from the Ford factory, according to the GP Oracles (mine is chassis 8920 - March 1941) but after some use, who could tell the difference anyway?

More later.....

Mike

[Mike K]

I think there were or are GP repro parts being made here , in South Aust. ? The guy concerned runs a family owned engineering business . I think I've seen a few of his posts on the G503 forum .

There is also the guy from Albury , seen at Corowa with his very nice almost mint GP .

And, a certain VMVC member has been playing with GP's , don't know what became of the GP's he had , he may have sold them on as I recall seeing one for sale . I did see the axle assemblies from one of these GP's being rebuilt at one time, at Upper Beac. Mike

[Mike Cecil]

The chassis is now back in the workshop, and the first part assembled to it was the suspension pin bushes. The originals were a typical Ford steel-rubber-central pin arrangement, which don't survive well. So I purchased a set of MD-Nylon bushes and steel pins from Australia, which were supposed to fit the GP. How wrong I was! They turned out to be about 1/6 inch oversize in the OD and the pins were far too sloppy in the ID, so I had a new set made to far tighter tolerance, as well as an 'installing button' tool.

The image shows the gear puller - turned bush-pusher inserting the first bush into the suspension hanger. Sitting on the chassis is, left to right, an MD-Nylon bush, another 'button tool' and the suspension pin. They are a force-fit and slide smoothly into place using the gear puller.

These should last a long time.

Progress, already slow, will be even slower over the next few months as we add a 14 x 32 foot area, 11 foot ceiling heated workshop to the back of the garage, with a 12 foot wide x 9 foot high entryway from the current 3-car heated garage. Should be able to pick up the pace next winter.

Mike

[lynx42]

Are you putting in a hoist, Mike? It was by far the best investment I ever made. Mine is an American built Bend Pak 5.5 tons (non of that metric tonnes stuff), 4 poster with a 2 ton movable scissor lift to get to the front and rear axles, brakes, etc. I can lift the White Scout Car easily.

A two poster is no good for my gear but might be for your GP.

How often do we get the wrong parts sent because the description is incorrect.

In Melbourne now for tomorrows op.

Regards Rick.

[Mike Cecil]

Hope the op went well, Rick.

Some small progress today with what my wife is calling the 'mail order jeep' , as so many parts seem to arrive by mail or UPS! The complete wiring harness manufactured by Vintage Wiring of Maine arrived via the UPS man about an hour ago. Looks good. Comes 'bagged and tagged' so should be a straight-forward installation job as each item is required during the build. Nice job, thanks Mike @ VWM!

Also did some bolting on - the rear bumperettes and the transmission guard support cross member - and 'nut & bolt recovery' ready for future use, while the spring leaves are away being sandblasted. Also some prep work in the yard for the the new workshop build.

Mike